In a policy recommendation passed this year by the American Medical Association, the organization lauds the potential of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Combining AI with human clinicians can advance care delivery “in a way that outperforms what either can do alone,” the AMA says.

While such technology has been considerably hyped in recent years, the organization understands that with tempered expectations — and deployed in the right situations — AI can have a real impact on the industry.

AI Makes Radiology More Efficient

Many believe one of AI’s biggest impact areas will be radiology. A report published in August by Signify Research projects that the global market for machine learning in medical imaging will surpass $2 billion by 2023.

At the University of California, Los Angeles, radiologists used deep learning to build a chat system dubbed “virtual interventional radiologist” that can answer many standard patient care questions for attending physicians and other clinicians.

AI Improves Cancer Screening and Cardiac Arrest Prevention

Other healthcare areas are poised to take advantage of AI, as well. For instance, AI powers an innovative cancer-screening program currently in beta known as Doctor Hazel. The technology uses deep-learning neural networks to screen and classify skin cancers with 80 percent accuracy.

Additionally, earlier this year, Microsofttouted a new AI tool developed by electronic health record vendor Epic and powered by Azure to help clinicians at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans predict, and potentially prevent, patient coding — cardiac or respiratory-arrest situations. In a 90-day pilot last year, Ochsner reduced the typical number of codes by 44 percent.

Today's Artifical Intelligence Jumpstarts the Future of Care

A report published in December on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services by JASON, an independent research group, stated that AI is beginning to play a role in transformative changes in healthcare, but also noted “significant challenges” to the use of the technology, including acceptance of AI in clinical practice.

Still, the AMA policy recommendation states that the organization will explore AI more closely, examining potential legal implications and encouraging education for physicians, medical students, healthcare professionals, administrators and patients.

While AI use in healthcare is in its infancy, it’s important to lay the groundwork for tomorrow’s patient care.